This Jukebox Rocks!!

James Brown....50th Anniversary Collection

2011-08-12T19:54:00.000+10:00

The "Godfather of Soul" may no longer be with us in body, but his SOUL certainly lives on! This collection contains 50 of his classic funky grooves and soulful ballads.....

James Brown 1

James Brown 2

Jimi Hendrix...The Ultimate Experience

2011-08-12T17:27:00.000+10:00

Your collection would not be complete without at least one Jimi Hendrix album. This compilation gathers 20 of his finest moments and is certainly essential

Ultimate Experience

The Complete ANIMALS.....the Mickie Most productions

2011-08-12T16:41:00.000+10:00

This 2CD compilation showcases The Animals at their best with a collection of their biggest hits and many outstanding Blues and R&B covers. One of the almost forgotten and underrated groups of the early British sixties scene

Complete Animals 1

Complete Animals 2

The Beatles...Early Tapes with Tony Sheridan

2011-08-12T13:41:00.000+10:00

There are many versions of The Beatles early recordings available, and, yes, this is another one but worth listening to for the beginnings of not only The Beatles, but for the Beat scene in the UK from the early sixties. A good selection of rock'n'roll and R&B covers plus The Beatles' tribute to The Shadows, the instrumental track "Cry For A Shadow".

The Early Tapes

Hank Williams...The Original Singles Collection Plus

2011-05-27T20:05:00.000+10:00

If you're a Country music fan you will know all about Hank Williams. If you are not, then you should. The man is a music legend and has influenced countless other artists. There are many complilations of his music available, and this is a good place to start.

Review.."This three-CD, 84-song indoctrination goes a long way to explain why Hank Williams was country's first big legend and a superstar by 25. Smitten with the blue yodel of Jimmie Rodgers and the mountain whine of Roy Acuff, Williams gradually added a racy edge to brew his own style of honky-tonk. And with the good-natured wink of "Hey, Good Lookin," the Cajun spice of "Jambalaya," and the donkey's bray of "Honky Tonkin'," Williams shows that he could balance his melancholia with upbeat songs of joy. Whatever his subject matter, however, Hank's aim was always for the heart. As these songs attest, he rarely missed. In beautifully restored audio." --Alanna Nash (Amazon)

disc 1
1. I'm Not Coming Home Anymore
2. Never Again (Will I Knock On Your Door)
3. Calling You
4. Wealth Won't Save Your Soul
5. When God Comes And Gathers His Jewels
6. My Love For You (Has Turned To Hate)
7. I Don't Care (If Tomorrow Never Comes)
8. Pan American
9. Honky Tonkin' (1947 Single Version)
10. (Last Night) I Heard You Crying In Your Sleep
11. Move It On Over
12. On The Banks Of The Old Pontchartrain
13. Fly Trouble
14. My Sweet Love Ain't Around
15. Rootie Tootie
16. Honky Tonkin' (1948 Single Version)
17. I'll Be A Bachelor Til I Die
18. I'm A Long Gone Daddy
19. The Blues Come Around
20. Six More Miles (To The Graveyard)
21. I Saw The Light
22. A Mansion On The Hill
23. I Can't Get You Off Of My Mind
24. Lovesick Blues
25. Wedding Bells
26. I've Just Told Mama Goodbye
disc 2
1. Mind Your Own Business
2. There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
3. Lost Highway
4. You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave)
5. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
6. My Bucket's Got A Hole In It
7. May You Never Be Alone
8. I Just Don't Like This Kind Of Living
9. Long Gone Lonesome Blues
10. My Son Calls Another Man Daddy
11. Why Don't You Love Me
12. A House Without Love
13. Why Should We Try Anymore
14. They'll Never Take Her Love From Me
15. Moanin' The Blues
16. Nobody's Lonesome For Me
17. Cold, Cold Heart
18. Dear John
19. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
20. Howlin' At The Moon
21. My Heart Would Know
22. Hey, Good Lookin'
23. (I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle
24. Crazy Heart
25. I'd Still Want You
26. Baby We're Really In Love
27. I'm Sorry For You My Friend
28. Honky Tonk Blues
disc 3
1. Half As Much
2. Let's Turn Back The Years
3. Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
4. Window Shopping
5. Settin' The Woods On Fire
6. You Win Again
7. I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive
8. I Could Never Be Ashamed Of You
9. Kaw-Liga
10. Your Cheatin' Heart
11. I Won't Be Home No More
12. Take These Chains From My Heart
13. Please Make Up Your Mind
14. Ramblin' Man
15. House Of Gold
16. With Tears In My Eyes
17. Alone And Forsaken
18. Fool About You
19. I'm Free At Last
20. Someday You'll Call My Name
21. I Can't Escape From You
22. Something Got A Hold Of Me
23. Weary Blues From Waitin'
24. I Ain't Got Nothin' But Time
25. Angel Of Death
26. There's No Room In My Heart For The Blues
27. At The First Fall Of Snow
28. The Log Train
29. All The Love I Ever Had
30. There's A Tear In My Beer

HW..Original Singles 1

HW..Original Singles 2

HW..Original Singles 3

The Dave Brubeck Quartet....Time Out

2011-05-11T19:37:00.000+10:00

Boasting the first jazz instrumental to sell a million copies, the Paul Desmond-penned "Take Five," Time Out captures the celebrated jazz quartet at the height of both its popularity and its powers. Recorded in 1959, the album combines superb performances by pianist Brubeck, alto saxophonist Desmond, drummer Joe Morrello and bassist Gene Wright. Along with "Take Five," the album features another one of the group's signature compositions, "Blue Rondo a la Turk." Though influenced by the West Coast-cool school, Brubeck's greatest interest and contribution to jazz was the use of irregular meters in composition, which he did with great flair. Much of the band's appeal is due to Desmond, whose airy tone and fluid attack often carried the band's already strong performances to another level. Together, he and Brubeck proved one of the most potent pairings of the era. --Fred Goodman Amazon.com

1. Blue Rondo à la Turk
2. Strange Meadow Lark
3. Take Five
4. Three To Get Ready
5. Kathy's Waltz
6. Everybody's Jumpin'
7. Pick Up Sticks

Time Out

Link Wray.....The Original Rumble

2011-04-26T19:58:00.000+10:00

No collection is complete without an album by this man. Link Wray is the inventor of the power chord that influenced a whole generation of British & American guitarists. The Who, The Kinks and many more took the power chord to another level because of hearing Link DO IT FIRST! He was the inventor of a style of music that is such a deep part of musical history.

1. Rumble
2. The Swag
3. Batman (Theme)
4. Ace Of Spades
5. Jack The Ripper
6. I'm Branded
7. Fat Back
8. Run Chicken Run
9. Turnpike USA
10. Deuces Wild
11. Mustang
12. Blueberry Hill
13. Run Boy Run
14. The Sweeper
15. Hound Dog
16. That'll Be The Day
17. The Fuzz
18. Rawhide
19. Draggin'
20. Aces Wild
21. Bull Dawg
22. The Rumble Man
23. Copenhagen

Link Wray

Miles Davis.....Kind of Blue

2011-04-18T19:47:00.000+10:00

This is the one jazz record owned by people who don't listen to jazz, and with good reason. The band itself is extraordinary (proof of Miles Davis's masterful casting skills, if not of God's existence), listing John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley on saxophones, Bill Evans (or, on "Freddie Freeloader," Wynton Kelly) on piano, and the crack rhythm unit of Paul Chambers on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. Coltrane's astringency on tenor is counterpoised to Adderley's funky self on alto, with Davis moderating between them as Bill Evans conjures up a still lake of sound on which they walk. Meanwhile, the rhythm partnership of Cobb and Chambers is prepared to click off time until eternity. It was the key recording of what became modal jazz, a music free of the fixed harmonies and forms of pop songs. In Davis's men's hands it was a weightless music, but one that refused to fade into the background. In retrospect every note seems perfect, and each piece moves inexorably towards its destiny. --John Szwed (Amazon review)

1. So What 9:22
2. Freddie Freeloader 9:46
3. Blue In Green 5:37
4. All Blues 11:32
5. Flamenco Sketches 9:26
6. Flamenco Sketches (alternate take) 9:31

Kind of Blue

B B King....Singin' the Blues / The Blues (first 2 albums)

2011-04-11T22:23:00.000+10:00

B.B. King's first tracks were cut for Bullet Records in 1949, but he cut his first two albums for the RPM/Kent label. These two albums, which are brought together on one CD, were originally released in 1956 and 1960 respectively, and they still stand proudly as B.B. King's best and bluesiest. They contain classic songs like "Three O'Clock Blues," "You Know I Love You," "Woke Up This Morning," "Please Love Me" and "When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer." The box set King of the Blues contains only three of these songs. The arrangements are smooth and elegant, frequently displaying a hint of jazz, and King is backed by a well-arranged horn section in true Memphis blues fashion. If you're looking for a more complete introduction to the formative years of one of the greatest living bluesmen, this is the album to get.

1. Please Love Me
2. You Upset Me Baby
3. Everyday (I Have The Blues)
4. Bad Luck
5. Three O'clock Blues
6. Blind Love
7. Woke Up This Morning (My Baby She Was Gone)
8. You Know I Love You
9. Sweet Little Angel
10. Ten Long Years
11. Did You Ever Love A Woman
12. Crying Won't Help You
13. Why Do Things Happen To Me
14. Ruby Lee
15. When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer
16. Past Day
17. Boogie Woogie Woman
18. Early Every Morning
19. I Want To Get Married
20. That Ain't The Way To Do It
21. Troubles, Troubles, Troubles
22. Don't You Want A Man Like Me
23. You Know I Go For You
24. What Can I Do

BB King..Blues

Muddy Waters...Folk Singer

2011-04-05T20:44:00.000+10:00

Muddy Waters started out playing acoustic blues in the Delta, and it shows on this return to his roots, designed to appeal to the mid-1960s surge of interest in folk music. It's a wonderful acoustic blues album. You've got the king of the electric blues, his wonderful voice and slide guitar, you've got legendary songwriter/bassist Willie Dixon, AND, as if that weren't enough, a very young Buddy Guy on lead guitar!All of the other reasons to hear this one remain--Waters's strong, confident voice, the relaxed smoothness of the material, and the surprisingly clean recording, made even cleaner by the digital remastering.

1. My Home Is In The Delta
2. Long Distance
3. My Captain
4. Good Morning Little School Girl
5. You Gonna Need My Help
6. Cold Weather Blues
7. Big Leg Woman
8. Country Boy
9. Feel Like Going Home
10. The Same Thing
11. You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had
12. My John The Conqueror Root
13. Short Dress Woman
14. Put Me In Your Lay Away

Folk Singer

Cannoball Adderley....Somethin' Else...Blue Note classic

2011-04-01T20:21:00.000+11:00

You don't have to be a pure Jazz fan to appreciate this masterpiece. Just put it on and chill man!

This wondrously relaxed blowing session was recorded in 1958 when Julian "Cannonball" Adderley was a member of Miles Davis's group--the one that recorded Kind of Blue--and the date is as much the trumpeter's as it is the altoist's. Davis's voice is much in evidence, from the subdued fire of the ballads to the crackling flames of the title tune, while Adderley's creamy alto invokes earlier swing and blues masters as well as Charlie Parker. The ballads and long, medium-tempo blues are complemented superbly by the thoughtful voicings of pianist Hank Jones and the great rhythm section of bassist Sam Jones and Art Blakey, who distinguished every session they participated in together. While Davis's Columbia recordings of the period were often ambitious and groundbreaking music, this Blue Note date is a more casual masterpiece.

1. Autumn Leaves
2. Love for Sale
3. Somethin' Else
4. One for Daddy-O
5. Dancing in the Dark
6. Alison's Uncle (extra track not on original vinyl LP)

Somethin' Else

Howlin' Wolf.........Moanin' in the Moonlight & Howlin' Wolf

2011-03-05T19:14:00.000+11:00

This package combines blues giant Howlin' Wolf's first two albums, themselves compilations of his singles released between 1951 and 1962. Apart from two tracks cut in Memphis with Ike Turner, these Chess Studios recordings are landmarks in the development of electric Chicago blues. The Mississippi Delta native's gruff persona towers over "Smokestack Lightnin'," "Red Rooster," "Spoonful," "Evil," "Wang Dang Doodle," "Back Door Man," and others that have become standards since being "discovered" by the Rolling Stones, Clapton, The Doors, et al. Almost as influential as Wolf's bottomless growl are the guitar playing of Hubert Sumlin and the writing and direction of Willie Dixon....a weighty slice of American musical history. --Ben Edmonds (Amazon)

1. Shake For Me
2. Little Red Rooster
3. You'll Be Mine
4. Who's Been Talking?
5. Wang Dang Doodle
6. Little Baby
7. Spoonful
8. Goin' Down Slow
9. Down In The Bottom
10. Back Door Man
11. Howlin' For My Darlin'
12. Tell Me
13. Moanin' At Midnight
14. How Many More Years
15. Smokestack Lightnin'
16. Baby How Long
17. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life)
18. All Night Boogie (All Night Long)
19. Evil (Is Going On)
20. I'm Leavin You
21. Moanin' For My Baby
22. I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)
23. Forty Four
24. Somebody In My Home

Howlin' Wolf

Robert Johnson...King of the Delta Blues Singers...Vols.1 & 2

2011-03-02T20:51:00.001+11:00

If there is a recording that is required listening for every blues fan, it's this one. Robert Johnson wasn't just King of the Delta blues; he was one of its founding fathers, and these re-mastered tunes are as timeless and important today as they were all those years ago. The songs that passed into the blues canon, to be covered by countless guitarists over the years, are here: "Crossroad Blues," "Preaching Blues," "Come On In My Kitchen," "Walking Blues," and more. And on this particular version of this often-reissued recording, there's an additional treat: a previously unreleased version of "Traveling Riverside Blues." One of the most important and influential blues albums of all time has been digitally remastered and includes a newly-discoverd, previously unreleased alternate version of "Traveling Riverside Blues." Absolutely essential. --Genevieve Williams (Amazon.com)

Vol.1
1. Cross Road Blues
2. Terraplane Blues
3. Come On In My Kitchen
4. Walkin' Blues
5. Last Fair Deal Gone Down
6. 32-20 Blues
7. Kind Hearted Woman Blues
8. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
9. Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped The Devil)
10. When You Got A Good Friend
11. Ramblin' On My Mind
12. Stones In My Passway
13. Traveling Riverside Blues
14. Milkcow's Calf Blues
15. Me And The Devil Blues
16. Hell Hound On My Trail
17. Traveling Riverside Blues (Alternate Take)

Vol.2
1. Kind Hearted Woman Blues
2. I Believe I'll Dust My Broom
3. Sweet Home Chicago
4. Ramblin' On My Mind
5. Phonograph Blues
6. They're Red Hot
7. Dead Shrimp Blues
8. Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped The Devil)
9. I'm A Steady Rollin' Man
10. From Four Until Late
11. Little Queen Of Spades
12. Malted Milk
13. Drunken Hearted Man
14. Stop Breakin' Down Blues
15. Honeymoon Blues
16. Love In Vain
17. Ramblin' On My Mind (Take 2)

Robert Johnson (1)

Robert Johnson (2)

John Lee Hooker...........Real Folk Blues / More Real Folk Blues

2011-03-02T20:38:00.001+11:00

Delta native son turned Detroit and Chicago electric-blues groove king John Lee Hooker had been recording for nearly 20 years (for at least a half-dozen labels under as many aliases) when he cut these tracks for Chess Records in the mid-'60s.

Hooker's 1966 Chess sessions find him working in a band format, which could be a risky proposition for a musician all too happy to meditate endlessly on a single groove and often unrestrained by the niceties of meter and 12-bar form. But with the able and alert assistance of guitarist Eddie Burns, pianist Lafayette Leake, and drummer Fred Below, Hooker stretches out and turns in one of his most expressive and inventive vocal performances. Whether he's loping through the feverish boogie of "Let's Go Out Tonight," ruminating on romance in a sinister remake of his '51 hit "I'm in the Mood," or expanding the genre's very boundaries with the eerie "Waterfront" (a track liner-note writer Chris Morris astutely credits for inspiring Van Morrison's vocal style), Hooker makes you believe every word. This is also the session that yielded the original "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," long a staple of latter-day blues-rocker George Thorogood's act. --Jerry McCulley (Amazon.com)

1. Let's Go Out Tonight
2. Peace Lovin' Man
3. Stella Mae
4. I Put My Trust In You
5. I'm In The Mood
6. You Know, I Know
7. I'll Never Trust Your Love Again
8. One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
9. The Waterfront
10. This Land Is Nobody's Land
11. Deep Blue Sea
12. Nobody Knows
13. Mustang Sally And GTO
14. Lead Me
15. Catfish
16. I Can't Quit You Baby
17. Want Ad Blues
18. House Rent Blues

Real Folk Blues

welcome to my blog.....say hello...leave a comment....

2011-02-18T18:10:00.000+11:00

Hello bloggers and welcome to "This Jukebox Rocks". I know you're out there, you've been downloading my "sample" files. I hope you are enjoying the music as much as I am presenting it. This blog is still a work in progress and I have many more interesting items to upload yet, so hey, do me a small favour, leave a comment, say hello, say thank you, show some appreciation...that's all I ask. My time is limited at the moment, but if I know you are there I will make more time and effort to post more regularly. Maybe there is something specific you are after or looking for. Drop me a line as I may just have it. Even if you just have a keen appreciation for the music, let me know and I will be very happy. ...........Peace, Love and Music.......Memphis Marty

PS...NO SPAMMERS PLEASE!

Miles Davis.....Birth of the Cool

2011-01-12T20:05:00.002+11:00

Birth of the Cool is the first important leader date from Miles Davis, one of jazz's most seminal figures and farsighted practitioners. Having made his reputation in large measure from playing with bop giant Charlie Parker, Davis confounded expectations when he embraced the "cool" arranging style of Gil Evans, an arranger for Claude Thornhill's band. Evans, who was employing unique voicings by adding French horns and tuba to Thornhill's instrumentations, also emphasized a diminished use of vibrato in both reeds and brass, producing a drier, "cool" sound. Two of Evans's arrangements, "Boplicity" and "Moon Dreams," appear on the album. Also involved are baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, who contributed such outstanding tunes as "Jeru" and "Venus de Milo," and Modern Jazz Quartet pianist John Lewis. The result is a date that has withstood the tests of time, fashion, and Davis's own extraordinary growth as a performer. An enhanced set, The Complete Birth of the Cool expands the original issue with previously bootlegged live recordings of Davis's nonet at the Royal Roost in New York in 1948. Although the sound quality is far from perfect, the performances are remarkable, and worth the additional expense for the serious fan. --Fred Goodman..Amazon.com

Miles Davis

also available

The Complete Birth of the Cool

Bo Diddley.....Hey! Bo Diddley / Bo Diddley

2011-01-11T20:59:00.001+11:00

Bo Diddley (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), born Ellas Otha Bates, was an original and influential American rock ‘n roll singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was known as “The Originator” because of his key role in the transition from blues music to rock ‘n roll, influencing a host of legendary acts including Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.

There are any number of excellent Bo Diddley compilations that cherry pick the man's work and if you merely are after a concise overview, several do the job perfectly. This 24 track release from 1995 would seem to be an excellent starting point as it comprises complete reissues of two albums from 1962 and 1963 and furthermore has a strong sprinkling of those very titles that reappear on so many collections. The first 12 tracks comprise the album Hey! Bo Diddley, released in the UK on Pye International in April 1963, and the second 12 made up the album Bo Diddley which followed 5 months later.

Bo Diddley

The Fats Domino Collection...40 Original Hits

2010-10-27T20:28:00.000+11:00

Fats Domino Collection 1

Fats Domino Cllection 2

also available
Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans
Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino
Early Imperial Singles 1950-52

Jerry Lee Lewis..........Sun Essentials

2010-10-10T20:07:00.001+11:00

Jerry Lee Lewis, the Killer, is the rock n' roll singer-songwriter and pianist, whose enduring image will be him standing at the piano, limbs flailing, quiff flying, while he belts out "Great Balls of Fire" - his signature tune.

Lewis developed his style early, mixing boogie-woogie, rock, gospel and rhythm and blues. As a youth he was expelled from university for playing 'worldly' music. He moved to Nashville in 1955 - only to be told his music was not country enough. He wound up at Sun Records, where he worked as a session man for, among others, Carl Perkins. It was during a recording session with Perkins, that they were joined in the studio for an impromptu jam by Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. The resulting tapes - made by the engineer as a 'souvenir'- were released as the Million Dollar Quartet.

In 1957 he shook the world with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire" and looked set to have a stellar career, however his private life became public and everything changed. While touring in Europe, news circulated of Lewis' marriage to his thirteen year old cousin (once removed), the resulting backlash caused the cancellation of the tour and an almost complete halt to Lewis career in the States. He was reduced to playing small clubs for small money, while his records struggled to get airplay. Even the subterfuge of an instrumental record, released under the name The Hawk, was rumbled, and in 1963 his contract with Sun ended. New releases for another label barely troubled the charts. Forced to look further afield, Lewis returned to Europe, where he recorded Live at the Star Club, Hamburg, the album is regarded amongst the best live rock n' roll recordings made, and stands as a testimony to his performing verve.

Despite the problems surrounding his private life, complicated by drink and drugs, Lewis carved a successful career in country music, with a steady stream of top thirty country albums. However, he probably never got the opportunity to fulfill his potential and achieve the status of his peers, such as Elvis. Lewis' contribution to music was recognized in 1986, when he was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, he is also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and in the top thirty of Rolling Stone Magazine's Greatest Artist of All Time list. A biopic of Lewis' life was released in 1989.

Content provided by SoundUnwound Copyright © 2008 IMDb.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Johnny Cash.......The Sun Years

2010-07-15T20:33:00.012+10:00

Many will be most familiar with Johnny Cash through the recent biopic of his life, Walk the Line. But for a life as well lived as Cash's, the film is only the tip of the iceberg. Johnny Cash was one of the real characters of twentieth century American music. His personality and talent helped him find fans across musical genres, inspiring artists in country, blues, alt country, indie rock, alt rock and even hip-hop. He worked with many well known artists covering an array of genres, including artists like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson as one fourth of The Highwaymen, and others such as Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, and U2.

His long career spanned more than 50 years and encompassed many different artistic mediums including writing, acting, and a prolific recording career. In his lifetime Johnny Cash released well over 70 albums, including more than 50 studio albums.....(text from Amazon)

This 3CD collection contains 82 tracks of the classic Sun sessions recordings including alternate and demo tracks

1.Wide Open Road

2.Country Boy

3.Life Goes On

Available from Amazon

Very Best of the Sun Years

His Sun Years

Sun Years (Mcup)

Wanda Jackson.....Queen of Rockabilly

2010-07-15T20:26:00.002+10:00

Wanda Jackson has said that she was never as consciously committed to rockabilly or rock & roll as her career direction would seem to indicate; she spent years walking a tightrope between traditional country and rock & roll, just trying to carve out a niche for herself and earn a living, and rock & roll was as new to her as it was to most country music fans in 1954-1955. In keeping with the sensibilities of the era, as the daughter of white working-class Texas-born transplants to Oklahoma (and then to California -- around Bakersfield, natch -- and back to Oklahoma), blues and R&B, as something that she would do herself or allow herself to be influenced by, were mostly alien to her when she began exploring the music (with help and encouragement from Elvis Presley) in 1955.

Luckily, the King of Rock & Roll was correct in his assessment of Jackson as a natural, and she became the Queen of Rockabilly at a time when Janis Martin was "the Female Elvis" and Brenda Lee was some child mutant doing rock & roll with some success. Jackson even recorded with a mixed-race band, the Poe Cats (including Big Al Downing), beginning in early 1958, and the records were amazing, although they didn't start selling seriously until 1960, when a DJ started playing "Let's Have a Party," a three-year-old track off of her 1957 debut LP, and Capitol got it out as a single. She was suddenly on the pop charts, as a unique voice and personality by then, and her career, which had started to coast, was suddenly thrown into high gear.

Queen of Rockabilly

Available from Amazon

Queen of Rockabilly
Rockin With Wanda
Vintage Collections

Bill Haley & His Comets...Rock the Joint!

2010-06-03T20:25:00.002+10:00

Rock the Joint!

Available from Amazon

Rock the Joint!
Real Birth of Rock N Roll Arrives: 1946-1954
Warner Brothers Years & More

Bill Haley and His Comets...From the Original Master Tapes

2010-06-03T20:21:00.002+10:00

Bill Haley & His Comets

Available from Amazon

The Best Of Bill Haley & His Comets: 20th Century Masters-(Millennium Collection)
From Western Swing to Rock
See You Later Alligator
The Decca Years & More

Johnny Burnette Trio.....Rockbilly Boogie

2010-03-27T17:12:00.001+11:00

Johnny Burnette Trio

available from Amazon

Rockbilly Boogie

The Complete Coral Rock 'N Roll Trio Recordings
Johnny Burnette & More Kings of Rockabilly

Eddie Cochran....His 30 Greatest Hits

2010-03-27T15:58:00.002+11:00

Eddie Cochran

available from Amazon

Somethin' Else: The Fine Lookin' Hits of Eddie Cochran

The Eddie Cochran Story (4 Disc Set)
Guitar Picker: Rare Recordings 1954-1960

Gene Vincent....The Rock and Roll Collection

2010-03-27T11:25:00.004+11:00

Gene Vincent

available from Amazon

Capitol Collectors Series

Very Best of Gene Vincent

Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps

The Rock 'N' Roll Collection

Chuck Berry......Chess Box

2010-03-20T18:15:00.004+11:00

We may not know who wrote the book of love, but the author of the rock & roll dictionary was Charles Edward "Chuck" Berry. His vast contribution to the music world is reflected in the plaudits he has won from many of the most well known artists who followed him. As a songwriter, guitarist and performer, he shaped rock and roll and has influenced many other artists in their careers. He was playing the blues before the likes of Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly were just starting out, but once "Maybelline" hit the airwaves, the history of rock'n'roll took a huge turn. There are many compilations available, but this one is a good starting point, with all his major hits plus several blues numbers.

You've got a signature guitar riff that other giants (think Rolling Stones) have based entire careers on. Songs such as "School Days" told teen tales as though they were novels. "Too Much Monkey Business" is where Bob Dylan discovered poetry and rap music found a contemporary starting point. "Johnny B. Goode," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Roll Over Beethoven," "Back in the USA"--the titles alone evoke unparalleled rock atmosphere. If this three-CD set contains less unreleased ephemera than the usual box, it's because there are so many essentials to squeeze in. This one's got 'em all, A to Z. --Ben Edmonds

Chess Box 1

Chess Box 2

Chess Box 3

available from Amazon
Anthology
The Chess Box :Chuck Berry
Blues
Johnny B. Goode: His Complete '50s Chess Recordings

Buddy Holly...From the Original Masters Tapes

2010-02-25T20:23:00.003+11:00

There have many titles bestowed upon the bespecled Buddy Holly..genius, legend, and master producer to name just a few..and they are all fitting. For a man who hasn't been with us since 1959, his music lives on, and on, and on...Countless bands and musicians have covered his songs; numerous tribute albums released; several documentaries made; a feature movie and a stage musical of his life story...the list goes on. His music is rediscovered by a new generation and will "Not Fade Away". There have been many albums of his material released over the years. This collection brings together his biggest and most popular tracks. A definite must for your collection.

Buddy Holly

available from Amazon

From the Original Master Tapes

Carl Perkins..Original Sun Greatest Hits

2010-02-24T20:58:00.010+11:00

I didn't know Carl Pekins existed until I read the track lisitng on "The Beatles For Sale" LP. "Honey Don't" and "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby" were both penned by someone called "Perkins". After a bit of research I discovered it was Carl Perkins. I also found out he wrote "Blue Suede Shoes" which, of course, I thought was an original Elvis song. I borrowed an LP of his from someone and hey presto, Rockabilly came alive to my ears!

Elvis may have been the King, but Carl Perkins was certainly the originator. He penned and recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" before Elvis covered it, "Honey Don't" and "Matchbox" before The Beatles and...need I say more? Classic and timeless rockabilly. Carl Rocks!

1. Blue Suede Shoes; 2. Honey Don't; 3. Boppin' the Blues; 4. Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby
5. Movie Magg; 6. Sure to Fall; 7. All Mama's Children; 8. Perkins Wiggle; 9. Put Your Cat Clothes On; 10. Matchbox; 11. Your True Love; 12. Lend Me Your Comb; 13. Dixie Fried; 14. You Can Do No Wrong; 15. Glad All Over; 16. Gone, Gone, Gone

Carl Perkins

available from Amazon

Carl Perkins - Original Sun Greatest Hits

Essential Sun Collection

Elvis Presley.....The Sun Sessions

2010-02-24T20:44:00.006+11:00

My first encounter with Elvis was a 78rpm single of "Hound Dog/Don't be Cruel" from my father's collection. From there it was what I heard on the radio and his movies. This was the early 1960's when The Beatles were the rage and most of the music I listened to was on top 40 radio (I was still at school and not earning money to buy records). When I had saved up enough pocket money I then purchased a copy of "The Sun Sessions" on vinyl LP and my ears pricked up. I'd never heard anything like it before and my interest in music suddenly matured. Was there more of this stuff out there? You betcha there was!

Every music collection should have a copy of Elvis' Sun Sessions. There are many versions available, this one is the complete 2CD version including alternate versions and the complete Hayride Recordings. This is where Rock and Roll had its roots and inspired many a musician since. Just to hear the opening strains of "That's All Right Mama" or "Mystery Train" still sends shivers down my spine. I never get tired of listening to these classic tracks.

Elvis

Presley

available from Amazon

The Sun Sessions CD: Elvis Presley Commemorative Issue
The U.K Sun Sessions
Elvis Presley "The Sun Sessions"

what this blog is about

2010-02-18T17:38:00.002+11:00

The aim of this blog is to list at least 200 (God knows there are hundreds more!) of the most essential albums that, in my humble opinion, should be in the collection of anyone who has a serious appreciation for good music. I am not a music critic, journalist or writer in any form or sense, just someone who has built up a collection of music over a lifetime, and would like to share my passion with anyone else that may be interested. Feel free to leave a comment if you wish, whether you agree or disagree, or even if you want to make your own recommendation. My goal is to complete the list in 12 months (or sooner depending on time restraints). Where possible, I will include a link to sample the album or purchase it if you wish. So stay tuned and happy listening!